The Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Act 2014 states that:
Abuse is when someone causes harm or distress to another person. It can be physical, sexual, psychological, emotional or financial, and can happen anywhere, including at home, in care, at work or in the community.
Neglect is when someone’s basic needs are not met, such as food, care, support, medical help or a safe place to live, and this affects their wellbeing.
Abuse or neglect may happen once or more than once. It may be deliberate, or it may happen because someone does not understand a person’s needs or fails to provide the right care and support.
Forms of abuse include:
Physical abuse can include hitting, pushing, shaking, giving too much medication, or stopping someone from taking the medication they need.
Sexual abuse can include unwanted sexual contact, being pressured or forced into sexual activity, rape or sexual assault.
Psychological or emotional abuse can include threats, intimidation, verbal abuse, humiliation, controlling behaviour, harassment, or isolating someone from family, friends or support.
Financial abuse can include stealing money or property, fraud, misusing someone’s benefits or possessions, or pressuring them about money, property or their will.
Neglect can include not providing proper care, food, medical help, support or access to services, or leaving someone at risk of harm.
Abuse may happen once or more than once, and a person may experience more than one type of abuse.
Who might cause abuse?
The person causing the abuse may be someone you know, such as:
- a paid carer or volunteer
- a health or social care worker
- a friend, neighbour or relative
- a partner
- another resident or person using the same service
- someone who targets or exploits vulnerable people
- anyone else
What should I do?
If you are being abused, or think someone else is being abused, please tell someone. Even if you are not sure, it is important that your concern is looked at by people who can help. Social Services have a legal duty to respond to safeguarding concerns.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 straight away and explain what is happening.
If you think a crime may have taken place, such as assault, theft or sexual abuse, contact the police. Try not to move or remove anything that may be evidence.
If you are unsure about contacting the police, you can speak to Social Services first. You can also ask someone you trust, such as a nurse, carer, advocate, friend or relative, to contact us for you.
If you have experienced or witnessed abuse, wherever it happened, please contact Social Services.
Staff who work with adults at risk must report safeguarding concerns. Giving your name can help us investigate the concern and protect the person at risk.
Local Authority, Police, Health and Probation staff have a legal duty to report safeguarding concerns to Social Services.
What will happen if I report the abuse?
When abuse is reported, Social Services will look into the concern in line with national safeguarding procedures. This may involve other organisations, such as health services or the police, and may lead to a formal investigation.
Action will be taken to help keep you, or the person at risk, safe. You will also be offered support and advice to help you make decisions about what happens next.
Information you provide will be treated sensitively. It may need to be shared with the right people so the concern can be looked into and the person can be protected.
Confidentiality
We will treat information about safeguarding concerns sensitively. We may need to share it with other organisations, such as the police or those who check the quality of registered services, but only with the people who need to know.